Recycling....stuff

The thread about what to do with old VHS tapes got me thinking about some stuff I have to dispose of that really can't or shouldn't go straight to Goodwill. I've got:

*Old prescription glasses - I know Sears and some other optical shops clean them up and ship them to third world countries. I've donated many pairs in the past - no idea how the two pairs of glasses I just found survived the last cleaning spree.

* Old running shoes - My local running shop has a box outside for them. Sometimes they collect them at marathon expos also, although I never remember to bring them along when I'm going to an expo.

* Electronic stuff - I have a really old flip phone and a razr (remember when those were must-haves?). A friend who works for the police department told me that women's shelters take them. Also, I think office supply stores take them. Not sure if they go to good use after that.
I also have an old computer that has a virus, but I need to hook it up to a monitor to try to get my stuff off. It's such a large project that I've been avoiding it....does anyone know where to take it for disposal/recycling?
I also have a Bookman e-reader, which is an old pre-kindle e-reader. My mom thought they were pretty neat gadgets and bought them for my brother and me for Christmas one year. I'm pretty sure neither one of us ever used them. I know mine is still in the box. I'm guessing that can go wherever the computer goes.

Its really at a point where you need several bins in your garage for all of this old stuff when it's past it's prime. Not the worst problem to have by any means, but definietly a comment on where we are as a society.

The county I live in recycles electronics and hazardous materials. We can drop stuff off every Saturday. There's a fee for TVs and computer monitors, but it's free for everything else. I think they remove hard drives from computers and destroy them in front of you when you drop off the PC.

So, try your county/city website to see if they can take some of the stuff you want to get rid of. Otherwise try googling to see if any private companies will take some of it.

I think office supply stores take old cell phones so they can be donated to women's shelters. A phone call or website search for your local store could verify that.

I think the Lion's Club accepts donations of eyeglasses.

As for running shoes, Nike used to have a program that recylced them, but I don't know if they still do it.

I send the old shoes off with the old clothes.

You can always take the computer to Best Buy for recycle/disposal.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

I think the Lion's Club accepts donations of eyeglasses.

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Yes. I had a bunch to give them after PRK and I labelled them with the prescription, which was a good idea, I thought.

the US Army will also take used cell phones and recycle them to troops overseas so that they can connect with their families.

The lions Club and I believe the Kiwanis clubs will take old glasses. Ask your local vision store.

marni

Old glasses - if you have a local Lions Club that is their big thing. They recycle them for those who cannot afford eye glasses (I believe both children and adults).

Cell phones - Best Buy has bins. However locally we have a women's shelter that takes them. They clear them, get them unlocked and get numbers assigned to the women. I have known people who volunteer at the shelters and they can't tell me much but they have confirmed they do use the cellphones as long as chargers are still available. They are actually very helpful getting the women back to independence.

Old computers - I believe Goodwill recycles them. They fix them if they can.

Not in your question but I have tons of old bike parts. Worn chain rings, a busted frame, old chains, etc... I found an aluminum recycling place that will take them. They even recycle old busted Christmas lights for the wiring.

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Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

Not in your question but I have tons of old bike parts. Worn chain rings, a busted frame, old chains, etc... I found an aluminum recycling place that will take them. They even recycle old busted Christmas lights for the wiring.

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The county I live in has a drop-off place for recycling of small metal stuff. Their list of things they do and don't take doesn't mention bike parts, but I suspect they would take most of what you mention here.